Kenan Sofuoglu’s farewell speech

Statistically there are no doubts: Kenan Sofuoglu leaves the world competitive as the best rider in the history of the Supersport World Championship. The turkish was yesterday on track in Imola to bid farewell to the category, the fans and life in the paddock.

He made the presentation lap and went to his garage, after qualifying in the front row, in third place. The decision was made right there, with the rider to feel grateful for all this years at the highest level.

– Dorna, Kawasaki and my team organised a very nice event yesterday. I felt that if I raced today what was the reason that I would start? I felt I wasn’t really physically ready to do this race. If I crashed with some of the championship challengers, if something happened, it could be very bad. I would feel I had damaged someone’s championship. I was here for the show, not here for the goal, and I think the show was over. I came on to the grid, onto the front row, and said goodbye to everyone. I think this was the best decision to make. Honestly, this morning I did not know what I was going to do. I only decided not to race a few minutes before the start. My team were surprised but they respected what I wanted. I did not want to break a promise to my family. Thank you to everybody; thanks to Jonathan Rea, who came to my goodbye event at the Paddock Show, and my Turkish riders for the future, plus all my Turkish fans. I was happy to be here but this is not my decision to retire, my family and everyone that surrounded me persuaded me to retire. I am here to say goodbye to racing – and to say thank you to everybody.